David PIGNOL,
Director of the Institute of Biosciences and biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille,
winner of the 2022 Pierre Desnuelle Prize and the Berthelot Medal
On October 18 and November 22, 2022, the French Academy of Sciences will be awarding all the prizes it grants on a four years basis to both experienced, as well as early career researchers. David PIGNOL, Head of the Institute of Biosciences and Biotechnologies of Aix-Marseille (BIAM, CEA/CNRS/Aix-Marseille University) thus becomes the 2022 laureate of the Academy’s Pierre Desnuelle Prize and the Berthelot Medal. This prize, awarded every four years, was granted to him on October 18 during a ceremony held on the premises of the Institut de France.
David PIGNOL’s carreer has focused on the role of metal ions in microbial adaptation to their environment. His work has led to the discovery of new physiological metal acquisition systems, as well as molecular mechanisms of resistance to toxic metals in bacteria. Notably, he has worked towards the characterization of metalloenzymes involved in bioenergetic processes, together with the description of biomineralization mechanisms leading to the formation of magnetic metal particles involved in the mobility of certain microorganisms. His fundamental research has led to about 100 publications, including 4 articles in Science and 1 in Nature, and has also contributed to exploring new lines of research in the field of environmental monitoring and remediation.